CHINA has branded Donald Trump's threat to cut off trade ties with countries that deal with North Korea as "unacceptable" and unfair.

A trade war between China and the US would have huge consequences for the international community

President Trump took to Twitter in the wake of North Korea's sixth and most powerful nuclear test on Sunday, condemning Pyongyang's actions and outlining some of the options under consideration to rein in the despotic nation.

He tweeted: “North Korea has conducted a major Nuclear Test. Their words and actions continue to be very hostile and dangerous to the United States.

“South Korea is finding, as I have told them, that their talk of appeasement with North Korea will not work, they only understand one thing!

"North Korea is a rogue nation which has become a great threat and embarrassment to China, which is trying to help but with little success.

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“I will be meeting General Kelly, General Mattis and other military leaders at the White House to discuss North Korea. Thank you.

“The United States is considering, in addition to other options, stopping all trade with any country doing business with North Korea.”

However, China has responded angrily to the US President's threats.

Geng Shuang, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, told reporters at a briefing in Beijing on Monday that China regarded as “unacceptable a situation in which on the one hand we work to resolve this issue peacefully but on the other hand our own interests are subject to sanctions and jeopardised.”

North Korea conducts 'perfect' hydrogen bomb test

Sun, September 3, 2017

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test, which it said was a successful detonation of an advanced hydrogen bomb

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un provides guidance on a nuclear weapons program in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency

Geng said: “This is neither objective nor fair.”

China is North Korea's closest ally and commercial partner, buying 83 per cent of the country's exports and selling 85 per cent of the goods imported by Pyongyang.

However, a collapse in the trade relationship between China and the US would have devastating consequences for both countries as well as the international community.

According to data from the US Government, the trade in goods between the US and China last year totalled a staggering £445.7billion (578.6billion), while the trade in services between the countries was worth £54billion ($69.6billion).

EPA

Putin & Xi, pictured in China, have both condemned America's handling of the North Korea issue

Meanwhile, Russian relations with the US are continuing to deteriorate with Moscow asserting the current approach to Pyongyang has not yet yielded "positive" results.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "The imposed sanctions have not created any positive outcome. On the contrary, the situation leaves something to be desired."

Earlier today, Russia deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov criticised the reaction of the US and its allies to North Korea's latest nuclear test, warning that any misstep could have dire consequences.

He said: "It's clear in the current situation any clumsy step could lead to an explosion, a political explosion, a military explosion and not just to a nuclear test explosion.

"There shouldn't be room for escalation. Those who are smarter and stronger should show restraint.”